THE PATTERN OF NON-COVID-19 PAEDIATRIC ADMISSIONS IN MALAYSIA TEACHING HOSPITALS: BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WITH MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER

Received 2022-07-15; Accepted 2022-11-11; Published 2022-12-31

Authors

  • Siti Aqilah Muhamad Department of Paediatric, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Fahisham Taib Department of Paediatric, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • Rowani Mohd Rawi Department of Paediatric, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • Wan Nor Ariffin Biostatistic and Research Methodology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Muhammad Azamin Anuar Department of Paediatric, Kuliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang.
  • Asrar Abu Bakar Department of Paediatric, Kuliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang
  • Intan Juliana Abd Hamid Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Institut Perubatan & Pergigian Termaju, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang.
  • Syed Abdul Khaliq Syed Abdul Hamid Department of Paediatric, Kuliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200, Kuantan, Pahang.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/jummec.sp2022no1.4

Abstract

To study the characteristics of paediatric patients admitted to two non-COVID-19 teaching hospitals before and during the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia. The retrospective study was performed in two phases (before MCO between February to March 2020, and during MCO lockdown between March to April 2020) in two teaching hospitals on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Hospitalized children <18 years were included and those coming for elective procedures or oncology treatment were excluded. The clinical data were retrieved from both hospitals’ admission records. There was a total of 496 and 191 admissions to two teaching hospitals on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, respectively. A significant reduction in the number of non-COVID-19 hospital admissions was seen in both hospitals. For Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, the daily hospital admissions were reduced with a mean of 10 (before MCO) to 7 (during MCO) admissions/day (95% CI 1.54,7.54, p=0.001). In Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre, a reduction in hospital admission was seen from 5 (before MCO) to 3 (during MCO) admissions/day (95% CI 0.61, 3.15, p=0.005). Our study observed a general drop in non-COVID-related respiratory illnesses and infectious disease cases during the MCO period. There were significant differences in neurological (p=0.029) and accident (p = 0.001) cases admissions observed between the two periods. Public health social distancing has indirectly reduced the non-COVID-19 related cases in the hospital settings with an increase in accidental injuries among the children during the MCO period.

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Globally, the prevalence of both communicable and non-communicable diseases has reached pandemic levels. The prevalence of diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity is worldwide. With the help of technology, many of the most severe infectious diseases of the 20th century may now be fought. These disorders are conditions that develop over an extended period of time as a result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural factors, especially the non-communicable diseases. The goal of this Special Issue, "Combating disease: Current trends, risk, treatment and prevention" is to discuss a wide range of disease-related topics, including make studies about the current pandemic season public. We specially encourage articles that offer fresh perspectives on medicine, medical systems, and management including epidemiological studies, basic science of local and systemic responses related to the medical sciences, fundamental research in medical sciences in lowering risk, improving treatment and prevention. All Special issues of JUMMEC follow the exact peer review process as regular papers and are published along with the regular issues of the journal when they are accepted. There are additionally labelled as belonging to a Special Issue and share a particular topic of interest to the scientific community.

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Published

2022-12-31

Issue

Special Issue 1 (2022) Combating disease: Current trends, risk, treatment and prevention

Section

Research article

License

All authors agree that the article, if editorially accepted for publication, shall be licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 to allow others to freely access, copy and use research provided the author is correctly attributed, unless otherwise stated. All articles are available online without charge or other barriers to access. However, anyone wishing to reproduce large quantities of an article (250+) should inform the publisher. Any opinion expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not reflect that of the University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.